Luke 10:38–42: Choosing What Matters Most

August 13, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

What do you truly love? Who do you truly love? And in what order would you place the people and things you love? Those are challenging questions, aren’t they? 

Recently, I had the privilege of officiating a Celebration of Life service. During the service, a close friend of the woman who had passed away shared a deeply moving tribute. In honoring her friend, she mentioned the Church Father St. Augustine (354–430) and his emphasis on ordo amaris—loving the right things in the right order. Augustine argued that our desires are rightly aligned when God is our highest love, our love for others is grounded in him, and we use the gifts and time he gives us for his purposes rather than simply for our own enjoyment. In other words, the trajectory of our life is God-initiated and God-focused from beginning to end.^[1]

So here is the essential question: Are you loving the right things in the right order? Our passage today will help us think that through. Let’s consider Luke 10:38–42.  

As Jesus continued to travel to Jerusalem,^[2] he “entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house” (Luke 10:38). From John 11:1, we know that the village is Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem on the road to Jericho. We also know that Martha has a brother named Lazarus.

Martha “had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Luke 10:39). Can you imagine listening to Jesus teach? Mary was not going to miss a word. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Jesus was teaching in her home, and he had her full attention.  

It seems that Martha listened for a while. She loved Jesus and wanted to hear what he was saying as much as Mary did. But she also knew there would be hungry guests after Jesus said, “Amen,” and that the food would not prepare itself. Luke says Martha was bothered and “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40a). 

While Jesus was teaching, Martha appears to have interrupted him. She “went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me’” (Luke 10:40b). Martha was frustrated that Mary was not helping with the food, and she felt she was the only one concerned about the guests. She also blamed Jesus for not caring about her situation. 

Honestly, I sympathize with Martha when I read and teach through this story. She seems to get a bad rap. And, to be honest, I have often seen fellow believers hold theological discussions and “ministry” conversations while others around them were doing the physical work. For years, our church met in a multi-purpose room, and after every service the chairs had to be stacked on racks and wheeled to a storage room. I often wondered about those who found time for meaningful ministry conversations while the rest of us were busy getting the job done. 

Was Jesus really saying that no one needed to eat? I don’t think so. 

Jesus addresses Martha in a very endearing way, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42). 

Jesus reminds Martha that her priorities were out of order. Martha did not need to be troubled and anxious about preparing food for her guests. There would be time to make the meal and eat. Mary had chosen to absorb the Word of God, the “good portion.” And no one could take that away from her. When you have God’s Word in your mind and heart, it is yours forever. 

That’s where the Gospel writers end the story. The main point has been made, but let’s imagine the rest of the evening. I picture that after her exchange with Jesus, Martha sat down and listened as he finished teaching. Then she and Mary worked together to complete the preparations so everyone enjoyed a tasty meal that evening. And I’m sure Jesus thanked both sisters for the delicious food. 

This story is not about the meal. It’s about priorities. So let me end with some questions.

Does the order of your loves start with loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?

Are you daily engaged in God’s Word? Jesus described this as choosing “the good portion, which will not be taken away.”

What are you anxious and worried about that is distracting you from a Christ-centered focus?

What needs to change?

How and when will you make those changes?  

Read and reflect on Luke 10:38–42: What anxieties, commitments, or distractions are keeping you from regularly choosing "the good portion" of time with Jesus in his Word?

Talking to God: Ask God to help you prioritize your order of loves. 

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